SUNY’s weekly COVID-19 testing requirement: Details, schedule and additional resources
UPDATE: Feb. 26, 2021
The College is simplifying the pool testing process for students, faculty and staff!
Effective immediately, walk-ins are welcome at any time Monday – Thursday, during the pool testing hours posted below.
Friday PCR testing will continue to be offered on an appointment-only basis.
With this change, there is no longer a recommended schedule for when members of our community should get tested – you can come get your COVID-19 test when it’s most convenient, regardless of your academic major or employee bargaining unit. We will continue to separate student and employee testing pools.
Use this link to check the line at the testing center using our live video feed.
We thank all members of the community who followed the testing schedule while our weekly testing process was getting up and running, and thank everyone in advance for continuing to test every week they are on campus during the spring 2021 semester.
The originally published weekly testing information below remains in effect.
As previously announced and required by SUNY, all students, faculty and staff must be tested for COVID-19 every week that they are on campus during the spring 2021 semester, effective Monday, Feb. 8.
The College has expanded on-campus testing hours and capacity to provide full-time testing, Monday – Friday, to help our community fulfill SUNY’s requirements.
Monday – Thursday: Pool Testing
Pool testing will be provided from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Thursday, with the first hour (9-10 a.m.) for employees only. No appointments are necessary for pool testing, but pre-registration through SUNY Upstate Medical University is required and must be updated with each test.
You MAY NOT participate in pool testing if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19. Students with symptoms should contact the Student Health Service at (845) 257-3400, and faculty and staff with symptoms should contact the Office of Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion at (845) 257-3171.
Friday: Individual PCR Testing
In addition to all-day pool testing Monday – Thursday, we will offer Friday make-up testing for those who were unable to get a test earlier in the week. Friday testing will use individual PCR test kits administered by our partners at Enzo Labs.
Friday PCR testing is by appointment only. Please use this link to sign up (faculty and staff should enter the letter “E”, then their employee ID number, where the scheduling form asks for student ID).
Compliance and consequences
If students are on campus and have not done their daily screening for three consecutive days, their card access will be disabled and they will be unable to enter most campus buildings or attend in-person classes until they remedy the situation.
For students, failure to test during a week in which you are on campus will result in disciplinary action including disciplinary probation and eventually suspension from on-campus presence, including in-person instruction and denial of campus residency.
When can I expect my test results?
COVID-19 pool test results are expected within three days of testing, and Enzo PCR results are expected within five days of testing. We remind our community that these are only estimates; we are dependent on our partners’ ability to process tests, and cannot guarantee exact result times.
Members of our community who test positive or are members of a positive pool will be notified as soon as we receive results.
Do I need to get tested for COVID-19 if I’ve already gotten the vaccine?
Yes! While the COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to reduce an individual’s susceptibility to the disease caused by the coronavirus, the science is unclear on whether those who have been vaccinated can still carry the virus and/or transmit it to others.
In light of this uncertainty, and following New York State Health Department guidance, our campus policy for the spring 2021 semester will be to protect our community by requiring all students, faculty and staff, even those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine, to wear masks, maintain social distance, complete the daily health screening for every day you’re on campus, and get tested for every week that you’re on campus.
Additional Resources
Please refer to the Student Health Service’s COVID-19 Testing Schedule for up-to-date information about testing availability and instructions.
More detailed information about SUNY’s weekly testing requirements for the spring 2021 semester can be found at this link.
Still have questions? Dial our COVID-19 hotline at (845) 257-CV19 for help!